LANSING, Mich., Nov. 14, 2023 — Making reforms to auto no-fault insurance has been an important and steady work-in-progress this legislative session, including various committee meetings, testimonies, discussions with insurers and hearing from patients, families and community members affected by auto no-fault changes in 2019. As lawmakers continue toward implementing smart reforms, state Rep. Brenda Carter (D-Pontiac), chair of the House Insurance and Financial Services Committee and committed advocate of auto no-fault reform, issued the following statement on the current status and next steps:
“In late September, I announced to the House Insurance Committee that we would be embarking on a thorough educational effort to inform members from all sides of the auto no-fault debate. Providers, insurers, actuaries, the department and others provided us with excellent information that creates a clearer picture of what is happening in auto no-fault since reform. We also said that we had to find a way to accomplish two goals. The first was to make sure that our most vulnerable patients were cared for, and the second was to further reduce rates so that insurance is affordable for all. We cannot ignore either of these goals. Patients without care is unacceptable, and making people choose between rent and complying with the law because of high rates is equally abhorrent. Step one is complete, and we have taken a deliberative approach to understanding the system and any problems yet unresolved because of reform.
“This is complicated work, and striking a balance between these objectives must be done carefully and deliberately. Finding a path is the first step, and crafting appropriate language to accomplish the goal is paramount to settle this issue and avoid fights in the future. We are hopeful that we can build a more collaborative relationship between insurers and care providers by bringing clarity to the system, reducing the litigation, and establishing a forum where challenges are met and solved earlier in the process. Work will continue on this issue through the rest of the year, and I look forward to more conversation and a solution when the legislative session resumes.”